Galleries Art Fair 2024 Unveils Exciting Talent at COEX

Courtesy of Galleries Art Fair 2024

"Galleries Art Fair 2024" heralds the onset of the spring season with its emergence, serving as a key indicator of the art market for the year. Being the first art fair to open annually, it sets the tone for the art market and forecasts the landscape of art trading for the year ahead. It marks the beginning of the art market season, followed by "Art Busan" in May and "Korea International Art Fair" (KIAF) in September, forming a significant triangular pattern in the art market.

In 2024, the art market unfolds in earnest alongside the "Galleries Art Fair." Scheduled to run for five days from the 3rd to the 7th of the month, the fair takes place at COEX in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It commences with a VIP preview on the 3rd afternoon, followed by four days of full-fledged exhibition open to the general public.
 

▲ Courtesy of Galleries Art Fair 2024

The event fills COEX C and D Halls with 156 galleries, maintaining the same number as the previous year. However, there is a strategic shift towards focusing more on approximately 10,000 pieces of artwork by 900 artists, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. Notably, a new regulation is introduced for this year's fair, limiting the number of artists showcased in each gallery booth to six or fewer. This aims to avoid department store-style displays and emphasizes careful selection of artists and artworks. Furthermore, all galleries are provided with equal booth sizes, continuing the fair's principle of "fair opportunity."

Celebrating its 42nd edition this year, the "Galleries Art Fair" stands as South Korea's oldest art fair, inaugurated in 1979. Galleries, considered the cornerstone of the art market, converge here to present a diverse array of artists and artworks for exhibition and sale, targeting collectors for future engagements.

▲ Poster for Galleries Art Fair 2024 / Courtesy of COEX

One distinguishing aspect of the "Galleries Art Fair 2024" is its exclusive participation policy, where only members of the Korean Galleries Association are eligible to participate. Despite the significant influence demonstrated by foreign galleries entering the Korean art market in the past, they are unable to participate in this event.

The keyword for this year's "Galleries Art Fair 2024" is 'young artists and a rejuvenated market.' Hwang Dal seung, the Chairman of the Korean Galleries Association, emphasized the presence of more works by emerging artists this year. As a result, there is an increase in vibrant and innovative artworks, offering existing collectors an opportunity to discover new tastes and providing new collectors with an easier entry into the art market.

▲ HEO Chanmi / Vase / Acrylic on canvas, 60.6×72.7cm / 2024 / Courtesy of Galleries Art Fair 2024

Several galleries at the "Galleries Art Fair 2024" have highlighted promising newcomers in the art scene. Gallery Baton features the works of RHO EUNJOO, who has garnered attention from major art institutions such as the Seoul Museum of Art and the Kumho Museum of Art. Space Willing N Dealing showcases the works of Park Noh-wan, one of the recipients of the "Artist of the Year 2024" award at the Jongno-gu Arts Awards. Additionally, numerous talented young artists are also prominently featured. 'Gallery We' presents the popular artist Gosce, who combines painting with silk screen, while Woo Son Gallery exhibits the vibrant and rugged still-life paintings of Heo Chan-mi.

▲ Adam HANDLER / Ghost Abduction in 1994 / Oil stick, acrylic and pencil on canvas / 101.6×76.2cm / 2022 / Courtesy of Galleries Art Fair 2024

Notably, galleries featuring foreign artists are also noteworthy. Gallery JJ exhibits works by American artist Adam Handler (born 1986), Gana Art showcases Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugito (born 1970), and Johyeon Gallery presents works by Japanese artist Kishio Suga (born 1944).

▲ TOH Yunhee / Untitled / Oil on linen / 160×130cm / 2017-2019 / Courtesy of Galleries Art Fair 2024

International galleries and Gallery Hyundai maintain their focus on renowned artists, with figures like Jean-Michel Othoniel and Candida Höfer represented by international galleries, while local legends such as Toh Yun-Hee, Lee Kang-so, Lee Kun-yong, Yoo Geun-taek, and Chung Sang-hwa are exhibited through Gallery Hyundai.

The "Galleries Art Fair 2024" has also finalized preparations for its program aimed at discovering emerging artists, known as the "Zoom-In Special Exhibition." Out of over 570 submissions from artists under the age of 39, a selection of 10 artists (KWAK Aram, KIM Bokyung, KIM Hanna, SONG Jihyun, SIM Yeji, LEE Sungjae, LEE Hojoon, JANG Suik, CHOI Myeongwon, CHOI Hyeyeon) have been chosen to showcase their works. This special exhibition serves as a highlight, allowing visitors to vote on-site during the exhibition period and awarding prizes to three artists following evaluation by a panel of judges.

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com